Pitching is major strength for ‘Cats
Edgar baseball keeps improving in young season
By Casey Krautkramer
Connor Handrick is in his fourth season as Edgar’s varsity baseball head coach, but he’s spent the last seven years in Edgar’s baseball program. He’s seen enough baseball during his lifetime to not be worried about the team’s .500 start early this season, because there’s still plenty more baseball to be played yet.
“We are currently 2-2 overall and 1-2 in the Marawood Conference South,” Handrick said. “We have competed in every game so far this year and our two losses have come to Auburndale and Marathon. We have had great pitching so far this year that has kept us in all the games. We need to continue putting the ball in play and improve on hitting with runners in scoring position. We have a great group of guys this year that are willing to put in the work that it takes to achieve the goals they have set forth this season.”
Edgar’s top returning varsity baseball players this season are senior centerfielder Keghan Hartway; senior second baseman Brady Stencil; senior catcher Justin Davis; junior left fielder Brett Baumgartner; sophomore pitcher and shortstop Leyton Schuett and sophomore pitcher, shortstop and third baseman Jase Apfelbeck.
Top newcomers to Edgar’s varsity baseball squad this season are junior first baseman Marcus Huehnerfuss, sophomore right fielder Dakota Ellenbecker and freshman third baseman Lucas Stahnke.
“We’re returning six starting players from last year’s team,” Handrick said. “We had three positions to fill and the underclassmen have done a great job of stepping up so far early this season.”
He said the pitching staff is the strength of the team this spring.
“We return two sophomore pitchers in Jase Apfelbeck and Leyton Schuett who did a tremendous job last year as starters and relievers when needed,” Handrick said. “They will fill the roles as our number one and number two frontline starters. Behind them we have a good amount of depth between Marcus Huehnerfuss, Lucas Stahnke, Brett Baumgartner and Dakota Ellenbecker. All of the guys will play a crucial role in getting us where we want to go this season.”
Handrick’s assistant baseball coaches this season are his younger brother, Brock Handrick, along with Mitch Mueller and Josh Eberhardt.
NOW THAT YOU’RE LOOKING
